61 Questioning (1/2)

Chapter 61: Questioning

Translator: Kris_LiuEditor: Vermillion

There was a knock at the door. Othello raised his head and asked, ”Who is that?”

”It’s me, Victor.” Victor’s voice sounded softer now.

”Well, come in then, Victor.” Othello seemed to be in quite a good mood.

Othello had failed to awaken the Blessing. In order to secure his title and fortune, he worked hard to please the Grand Duke and also Princess Natasha, who had already inherited the title of Violet Countess.

It seemed like Othello had a pretty good conversation with Her Highness.

Victor slowly opened the door and entered the room, along with Lucien.

Othello raised his head with a bit of a smile on his face, which was very rarely to see. His black suit was still clean and tidy, without any stain from the heavy rain.

”Victor!” Sitting behind the red desk, Othello talked to Victor with excitement, ”Her Highness is looking forward to your new concertos this year and the new music instrument, the piano! Do work hard, Victor. You don’t want to let Her Highness down. Well, and this is…” Othello noticed the finely dressed young man following Victor, but he already forgot that he had actually met Lucien once before.

”I don’t, and I won’t, Mr. Othello,” answered Victor. Then he slightly pushed Lucien forward and introduced him to Othello, ”This is my student, Lucien… Lucien Evans. He just wrote his first piece of music and I am hoping that you can have a look at it. After all, it is known to all that you are such an authority in serious-style music.”

Victor wanted Othello to take a careful look at Lucien’s work without any prejudice, so he did not tell Othello his actual intention directly.

”When did you have this new student? I never heard that before.” Othello was still in his pretty good mood.

When Othello took over the paper file and started reading the sheet music, very soon a serious look appeared on his face.

Othello was very impressed by the beginning part. He could surely say that, in the past couple of decades, he never met a music work like this. After reading the first several bars, Othello could already tell that the following movements were going to be very intense and passionate.

He was clearly aware of the fact that he was old. And he devoted pretty much all his life to religious music. Facing the new music trend in Aalto where many young musicians were trying to express their own feelings through music, he felt quite reluctant and disagreeable since he believed that music should be much more sacred than this.

However, his heart was beating so fiercely when he was reading the sheets of music. After reading the first movement, Othello found the palms of his hands covered in a film of sweat as if he just had a fierce fight.

He did not like this kind of music. He wanted to tear these sheets up to prevent this work from influencing more people. In his mind, authentic music should be way more calm, sacred and serious.

At the same time, he couldn’t deny the value of this young man’s work. He knew that Music Criticism and Symphony News were holding an open attitude towards the new music style, and so was Princess Natasha.

He also did not want to lose his manner in front of the younger generations, as a renowned, experienced noble musician.

When the silence in the office started becoming more and more torturing, Othello finally dropped the sheets and talked to them, ”You’re very gifted, Lucien. I’m glad to see that we’re having a promising young musician. However, Lucien, what I want to remind you is that music is a sacred tool for us to praise the Lord. Music is something powerful and serious and we’re supposed to serve the Lord with music. I hope you can put more thoughts and work into the authentic theme of music.”

”I see. Thank you, Director Othello.” Lucien was not really paying attention to his comment. In his mind, picturing a magic apprentice like him praising the Lord was a pretty funny joke.

Victor was already satisfied with Othello’s reaction. At least Othello did not say Lucien’s work was not good. So he decided to take his plan a step forward.

”Sir, I really appreciate Lucien’s work, and I believe you can also see the value of it. Therefore, I want to present Lucien’s work to everyone in my concert.”

”No!” Without even thinking, Othello rejected Victor’s proposal directly.